The Castronovo family can trace its noble origins to the Italian region of Piedmont. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adapt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames was not complete until the modern era, but the use of hereditary family names in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries. Italian hereditary surnames were developed according to fairly general principles and they are characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. Although the most traditional type of family name found in the region of Piedmont is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, local surnames are also found. Local names, which are the least frequent of the major types of surnames found in Italy, are derived from a place-name where the original bearer once resided or held land. Often Italian local surnames bore the prefix "di," which signifies emigration from one place to another, but does not necessarily denote nobility. The Castronovo family lived in Genoa, a prosperous city in Piedmont which at one time was a rival with Venice in terms of commerce and trade.

Castronovo Early Origins

The surname Castronovo was first found in Genoa (Italian: Genova), a prosperous city in Piedmont which at one time was a rival with Venice in terms of commerce and trade.

Castronovo Spelling Variations

Castronovo Spelling Variations

Italian surnames come in far more variations than the names of most other nationalities. Regional traditions and dialects are a decisive factor in this characteristic. For example, northern names tend to end in "o", while southern in "i". Also important, but not unique to Italy, was the fact that before dictionaries and the printing press most scribes simply spelled words according to their sounds. The predictable result was an enormous number of spelling variations. The recorded spellings of Castronovo include Castro, Castri, De Castri, De Castris, Lo Castro, Lo Casto, Li Castri, Licastri, Li Castro, Licastro, Castrogiovanni, Castronovo, Castronuovo and many more.

Castronovo Early History

Castronovo Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Castronovo research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1360, 1550, 1597 and 1687 are included under the topic Early Castronovo History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Castronovo Early Notables (pre 1700)

Castronovo Early Notables (pre 1700)

Prominent among members of the family was Giovanni Castroceli who was made Cardinal in Aquila by Pope Celestino V; Nicola Castroceli was made Bishop of Aquila by this pope in 1296; Paolo di Castro, born in the town of Castro in 1360, was a soldier in the Papal army; Angelo da...

Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Castronovo Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Some of the first North American settlers with Castronovo name or one of its variants:

Castronovo Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Antonio Castronovo, aged 7, who settled in America from Callavoturo, Italy, in 1899

Castronovo Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Antonina Castronovo, aged 23, who landed in America from Valledolms, Sicily, in 1907

Antonino Castronovo, aged 44, who emigrated to the United States from Salemi, Sicily, in 1907

Angelo Castronovo, aged 19, who settled in America from Bagheria, Palermo, in 1909

Angelo Castronovo, aged 5, who emigrated to the United States from Roccopolumba, Sicily, in 1909

Accursia Castronovo, aged 56, who settled in America from Sciacca, Sicily, in 1910

The Castronovo Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Castronovo Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.